William B. "Bill" Dickson Jr.

1937 - 2025

William "Bill" B. Dickson, Jr.

September 13, 1937 - July 8, 2025

Beloved husband and father William B. Dickson, Jr. (Bill), age 87, passed peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Fernandina Beach, Florida with his son by his side. He is survived by his son Scott, sister Anne, sister-in-law Lois, brother-in-law Fred, son-in-law Reuben, nieces, and extended family members. He was predeceased by his wife Betty and daughter Susan.

Bill, son of the late Bryan and Gladys Dickson, was born September 13, 1937 and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He attended Kenosha High School, graduating in 1955, and the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor's degree in 1959.

In high school, Bill played football, ran track, and played in the high school band; he also played drums with a popular small Kenosha based instrumental jazz combo, The Mel-O-Tones, that performed at several clubs and dance halls in and around Kenosha.

He also attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army at the rank of Captain in 1968, Bill served as a line officer in the field artillery with the First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

Working for several nationally recognized companies in his early years, Bill ultimately joined the ranks at Alcoa Inc. (Aluminum Company of American) where his career spanned for over 30 years. He embodied the quintessential business executive of the latter 20th century; dedicated, loyal, honest and hardworking. He loved the company and spoke of his time there often after he retired.

Bill married Betty Fair in Greenville, Ohio in 1963. His wife of 58 years, Betty was a high school and college English teacher. In addition to raising their two children, the two enjoyed travel with friends over the years, taking numerous trips to Europe as well as Alaska and the Maritime Provinces closer to home.

Bill's hobbies included golf, bike riding, listening to jazz music, and photography; he was a member of several camera clubs in Milwaukee, Atlanta, Moline, and Jacksonville. Following his retirement from Alcoa in 1996, Bill worked as a photographer for The Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) and several other photography studios. He also photographed for two PGA Tour Golf tournaments (The John Deere Classic and The Players Championship) for a number of years.

Bill was a life-long Episcopalian and a member of the Episcopal Church in every city where he and his family lived. At the time of his death, Bill was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach. He also served as director and member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew men's group. His first home church was St. Matthew's Episcopal in Kenosha. He was on the vestry and served as a lector at several of his churches throughout his life.

Always civic minded, he was a member and officer in the Kiwanis Club of Fernandina Beach. In later years Bill continued to keep in touch with several of his high school friends and classmates. A special thank you as well to friends and neighbors, Gerri, Steve, Diane, and Jamie of Fernandina Beach.

Memorial services will be held later this Fall 2025 in Fernandina Beach.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

OXLEY-HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS.